10.13.04– Much more than his International Boxing Union World super middleweight crown will be on the line October 29 for Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (28-3-1, 23 KOs) against former world title challenger Jim “The Smooth One” Crawford (40-7-2, 2NC, 17 KOs) at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc (CES), in association with CN8, The Comcast Network and Foxwoods Resort Casino, is promoting “The Dream Continues,” which will be taped live and air in primetime Saturday, October 30, 7:30-10:00 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network to 6.2 million homes from Maine to Maryland. CN8’s coverage of “The Dream Continues” will also be available on Comcast Digital Cable’s ‘ON DEMAND” service and online at www.cn8.tv. “The Dream Continues,” headlined by the 12-round Pemberton-Crawford main event, will be broadcast on tape delay in up to 20-million additional households nationwide.
Pemberton, rated No. 3 by the World Boxing Council, as well as No. 11 by the World Boxing Organization and No. 14 by the International Boxing Federation, is risking a 2005 major world title match by fighting Crawford, who lost (KO8) his IBF title shot to then champion Sven Ottke in 2001.
“I’ve got to get past Crawford before I can think about fighting for the world title,” Pemberton noted. “He’s fought for a world championship and I’ve been very impressed by him on tape. I’m getting in the best possible shape I can to fight him.
“I’ll fight anybody, here (US) or overseas, whatever it takes. If (WBC No. 1 rated Mikkel) Kessler doesn’t fight (WBC Interim champion Danny) Green (in the WBC eliminator to fight new re-champ Markus Beyer), I’ll fight him to position myself for a world title fight against Beyer and the payday that goes with it. I know Beyer; I sparred with him a few years ago. Jeff Lacy (new IBF champ)? He looked phenomenal, like a world-beater against Vanderpool.”
Pemberton’s promoter, Jimmy Burchfield, months ago offered Beyer $500,000 to defend his title in the US against Pemberton. “Now that Beyer is the WBC champion again,” Burchfield said, “the offer is back on the table. We’ve worked hard to get to No. 3 in the WBC and now we’re looking to become the No. 1 mandatory. If Kessler doesn’t want to fight Green, Scott will take him on right after he gets past Crawford. Lacy-Pemberton is the type of fight every fight fan wants to see. They’re two warriors who respect each other tremendously. Everything is on the line Oct. 29th for Scott. Crawford has had two months to prepare for him and Jim really believes he can come here and knock out Scott. “
In the 10-round co-feature unbeaten “Bad” Chad Dawson (14-0, 10 KOs), fighting out of New Haven, defends his WBC Youth middleweight belt against undefeated Darnell Wilson (8-0-1, 6 KOs), of Lafayette (IN). The WBC rates Dawson No. 29. Wilson has an extensive amateur career, including three US National championships, 1993 National Golden Gloves title, Bronze medal at the Pan-Am Games. He also was a 1996 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team alternate.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in separate bouts are three unbeaten Providence fighters: Joey “KO Kid” Spina (12-0, 9 KOs), fighting for the first time at super middleweight (he has been a light heavyweight); four-time national (open) amateur champion, cruiserweight prospect Matt Godfrey (5-0, 3 KOs) in his first six-rounder; Woonsocket (via Puerto Rico) middleweight Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-0, 2 KOs). Two other bouts are slated including the return of Providence junior welterweight “Steamin Josh Beeman (2-1), 2000 Eastern Olympic Trials gold medallist.
Tickets, priced at $100.00, $65.00 and $45.00, are available by calling CES’ corporate headquarters at 401.724.2253/2254, Foxwoods’ box office at 800.200.2882, or going on line at www.foxwoods.com. For additional information call CES or visit its web site at www.cesboxing.com. Call 610.627.0606 or 203.288.7111 for television advertising or broadcasting opportunities.